9 Toylines from the '80s Based on Unusual Gimmicks

One of the reasons the Masters of the Universe toyline is so fondly remembered is due to the great variety of toy gimmicks. Each figure had the ability to “punch” via a waist twist, but there were also characters with revolving eyes or faces, interchangeable robotic arms, glow in the dark skin, working gears in the torso – never mind all the crazy motorized vehicles like the Attak Track and the Dragon Walker.

But often toy companies in the 1980s weren’t nearly as ambitious. They still wanted to cash in on the “collect them all” mentality, but only had enough money (or creativity) for one gimmick, so they would base an entire line around it. Some of these ideas, such as transforming from a robot into a vehicle of some sort, were wildly successful. Others… not so much. And yet, you’ll be amazed by how many of these short-lived toylines got their own comic, or even an animated series as everyone tried to replicate the success of He-Man, the Transformers and G.I. Joe.

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